Sexta sesión de DESARROLLO PROFESIONAL 

Bridging Worlds: Implementing the Bilingual Program in Early Childhood and Primary Education in Diverse School Contexts

 Vanessa García Martínez - Directora del CEIP “La Flota” – Murcia

The principal of two schools with contrasting realities explores the implementation of Murcia’s Advanced Bilingual Program. The rural school faces unique challenges with over 90% immigrant students, primarily of North African origin, who start their education without Spanish language skills while also learning English as a third language. In contrast, the urban school in an affluent residential area serves exclusively Spanish students from highly involved families with strong educational backgrounds. This talk also reviews Murcia’s bilingual system, detailing the two bilingualism levels available to schools, the legal criteria for adoption, and the principal’s perspective. It discusses the hurdles each school faced in meeting the requirements for advanced bilingualism, the benefits and challenges realized for students, teachers, and families, and future prospects for bilingual education in these two distinct contexts.

The session will also highlight the value of Small Private Online Classes (SPOCs) as a tool to support bilingual learning and functional communication. By the end of the webinar, teachers will leave with actionable insights, ready-to-use strategies, and the confidence to adapt their English lessons for students with special needs, helping them succeed in their bilingual education journey.